"Mu Rou's zither music is truly divine, especially her melody. Even though she seems like a little elf, I didn't feel so strongly earlier. But now, as the notes linger in my ears, my emotions are changing with the music - when it's sad, I feel sad; when it's cheerful, I feel cheerful."
Walking on the streets of the Imperial City, the sky was now dark. Instead of quieting down, the streets were more vibrant, lit up by lanterns that illuminated the surroundings with a warm, red glow. Many pedestrians were strolling along the streets, enjoying the nightlife.
Dawu city had no curfew. There was music and celebrations every night, making it even more bustling than during the day.
Chu Xiaoniang tilted her head, deep in thought.
"A thought can create a god, a thought can create a demon. That's the fluctuations of your mind," said Chu Yuan. "Open that scroll and take a good look at the woman in the painting."
"Oh? Is there something strange about it?"
Chu Xiaoniang asked curiously.
The woman in the painting was still the stunningly beautiful Mu Rou, looking as if a celestial maiden had descended to earth. However, after Chu Xiaoniang stared at it for a while, she exclaimed in surprise, "The Mu Rou in the painting seems to be smiling at me. Wait, now she seems to be sorrowful... why does it seem like I can see anger too?"
"Joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hatred, desire - Mu Rou infused her emotions into this painting using the power of her spirit. Not just anyone could achieve such a feat. Her cultivation level may be even higher than I imagined."
Chu Yuan was deep in thought as he considered Mu Rou's changes in Miao Yin House.
"Indeed, something is strange about Miao Yin House. Father had wanted to ban it, but ultimately, nothing came out of it. But is Mu Rou really that powerful?"
Mu Rou looked no more than seventeen or eighteen.
"Chenxi, we should head back to the palace now."
Just as Chu Yuan finished speaking, the sounds of galloping horses came to his ears.
"Make way! Make way!"
A few large horses unexpectedly stormed down the street, running wildly, causing panic amongst the people roaming the night market.
Particularly striking was the leader of the group. He rode a magnificent, fiery-red horse, with hot flames spewing from its nostrils.
As they charged through, many pedestrians cried out in alarm. Some were even knocked over in the chaos.
"A dragon-blood horse?"
On first glance, Chu Yuan recognized this horse as a rare breed infused with the weak bloodline of the Dragon Clan. Only Dawu could train such horses. In Dawu, such horses could only be seized from battlefields and couldn't be bred. They were worth a fortune, far beyond the means of ordinary folks.
"I've been looking for the two of you for a long time. I've finally found you!"
The man on the dragon-blood horse was Liu Xi. He stopped in front of Chu Yuan, looking down at him, saying contemptuously, "Hmph! I don't know what kind of sorcery you used to bewitch Saintess Mu Rou, but the Spring River Bathed in Rain painting is mine. Name your price. I can buy it off you!"
"I want a price you cannot afford." Chu Yuan replied.
"Hahaha, can't afford it? Do you know who this young lord is? He's the son of the current Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Works, and he controls countless resources. There isn't a price he can't afford. Young man, you'd better open your eyes!"
One of the arrogant men brandished his horse whip fiercely, the swift movement creating a threatening sound, his demeanor intimidating.
"We still need to observe some rules within the Imperial City." Liu Xi waved his hand indifferently. "I'll exchange this painting for ten thousand taels of gold and ten mystic crystals!"
"You're dreaming." said Chu Yuan.
"Boy, don't make me teach you a lesson for not showing courtesy where it's due! We've been very polite to you!" Another arrogant man yelled.
He suddenly pulled his reins, raising his horse's hooves menacingly high, posing as if ready to trample Chu Yuan. His whip too was stirring up a gust of wind. If this whip hit anyone, it would surely leave severe welts.
Many people on the street covered their eyes.
Except Chu Yuan, whose eyes radiated a chilling light. He grabbed the man's whip and yanked it strongly. The arrogant man was thrown off his horse, with a loud thud, to the ground. Gagging, he spat out mouthfuls of blood, unable to get up.
"You! You dare to touch my people!" Liu Xi frowned and said, "What's your name, whose family do you belong to?"
A person from the Chu Family." Chu Yuan said indifferently.
Liu Xi thought for a while, sneered: "I know most of the young masters in the Imperial City, even those I'm not acquainted with I would have heard about, but a young master surnamed Chu is something unheard of. The only one surnamed Chu that I know is the reigning Emperor. You must have come from the border to escape raids.
However, young man named Chu, you've hurt my people and you must pay the price."
"You are going to die!" Chu Xiaoniang replied disdainfully at this point.
"Young Master, these two people are too arrogant, why don't we give them a harsh lesson to let them realize the power of the Ministry of Works."
The several slaves by his side said darkly, they've carried out this kind of deed many times before.
"Idiots, with so many people present would you act yourselves?"
Liu Xi cursed these slaves under his breath; "I heard that the duty officer today is Capital Commandant Sun from Xuanwu Camp. Go, invite him over, let him uphold justice for me. This young man dared to openly act within the Imperial City, beating my people to an unknown state of life and death. He must be severely punished under the law."
"Young Master always thinks carefully!" When one of the slaves complimented, he turned around and ran, shouting: "If you have the courage, don't run!"
"I won't run." Chu Yuan said casually.
After a while, the sound of armor clashing came, soon followed by a group of armored Forbidden Army walking briskly over.
"Capital Commandant Sun, that man is too arrogant. He beat our Young Master's people to near-death. This is the heart of the empire, where laws and regulations are strict. He dared to be so arrogant, commit violence in public, and doesn't regard you highly, that's why our Young Master invited you to administer justice."
The arrogant slave walked in front, followed by a man with a robust structure and strength that already reached the Divine Realm.
Considering the times, even a Commandant in the Divine Realm from the Xuanwu Camp would personally patrol the Imperial City.
"Humph! During a lockdown in this kind of time someone dares to openly punish in my territory, very arrogant. As your Young Master said, this young man came from outside the city and perhaps has become used to ruling over his own territory. He doesn't realize this is the Imperial City."
That Capital Commandant surnamed Sun said.
"Capital Commandant Sun."
When Liu Xi saw Sun, he smiled broadly: "Under the Emperor's feet, the heavens and the earth, my men and I were just admonishing him, yet he dares to resort to violence and was particularly heavy-handed. Look at my men on the ground, not knowing life from death, according to Imperial City law how should he be found guilty?"
"Immediately taken into custody, closely confined." That Sun Commandant obviously recognized Liu Xi and smiled: "Especially during this special time, as a Commandant, I have even more reason to suspect him of being a spy from Daqian. He must be severely interrogated!"
"Before the severe interrogation, I want to find someone."
At this moment, Chu Yuan was surrounded by several slaves, and that Sun Commandant had not yet gotten a good look at Chu Yuan's face.
"Who are you looking for?"
The Chief Inspector of Wudu, Song Ying."
Chu Yuan said slowly.
"You know Song Ying?"
Liu Xi said: "But even if you find Song Ying, it's useless. He is just the Chief Inspector from Wudu, and the evidence of your violent behavior is irrefutable. Remember, not everyone can be provoked. My father is Liu Yong, the Minister of Works. Even Song Ying can't save you."
"Enough, let me take him into custody first."
That Sun Commandant waved his hand.
Forbidden Army and Chief Inspector are of different systems. He is a master in the Divine Realm. Even if this guy knew Song Ying, the Chief Inspector has no control over those arrested by his Forbidden Army, and wouldn't give him face.
He cleared the crowd, about to apprehend him, when he suddenly saw Chu Yuan's face. Fearfully he fell to the ground and shouted: "Ah! Liu Xi, you have killed me!"